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Virtual Gaming Worlds’ Perth-based billionaire founder Laurence Escalante has resigned as director from a number of his companies after being charged with domestic violence and drug offences last week.
ASIC records show the 44-year-old is no longer the director of his privately owned VGW Holdings and Lance East Office Pty Ltd.
The changes were filed on Monday after Escalante faced Perth Magistrates Court for the first time on Friday, charged with eight offences including persistently engaging in family violence, criminal damage or destruction of property, stealing, unlawful assault and possession of cocaine and MDMA with intent to sell or supply.
In a statement on VGW Holdings’ website, the company said it was aware of the charges.
“These are unrelated to VGW and personal in nature,” the statement read.
“However, we can confirm Mr Escalante will be taking a leave of absence from his role as CEO and Executive Chairman of VGW.
“In the interim, we have installed experienced leadership from our existing executive team to take on those responsibilities and it remains business as usual for VGW.
“The company takes any allegations of this nature extremely seriously. As this is a private matter and remains before the courts, we cannot comment further.”
Mats Johnson has since been appointed acting chief executive officer.
Escalante has said he will fight the charges against him.
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